This morning, my thoughts go to our authority over Satan. God has given every believer authority to bind the works of Satan and loose the power of God in their own lives, here on earth, thru the power of the Holy Spirit working in the believer. Jesus tells the church in Matthew 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (KJV). And in Matthew 18:18, Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven (KJV).
SIN creates spiritual decay to the mind, soul, and body. SIN brings suffering and death. We must submit to God’s instructions. We are nothing in our self (the natural man), but in Christ, we are everything. In Him, we live, move, and have our existence. In Him, in Christ, we are victorious. To be in Him, we must submit to His will, His Word. To follow Christ means more than obeying and submitting to God’s commandments; His ways as written throughout the Bible…it’s the denial of self, selfish desires, and the struggle to put God first.
We can do ALL things through Christ that strengthens us. Put on the things that are of good report. Do not give ANY thought, any place, for those things that are not good or of good report. Yes, this is real suffering. In this way, we as humans carry the same cross through life that Jesus did. Philippians 1:29, For unto you it is given on behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake (KJV).
There is a struggle that is particularly difficult in today’s world, and that is the spiritual fight that must take place to put down thoughts and actions, threatening the relationship between God and one of His children. To maintain closeness to God, a person must think and act like God does. The Greek word for Sin is “hamartia” meaning “misses the mark” and in the Hebrew there are many meanings,“hata, pasha- trespass–rebelliousness, aveira- transgression, avone- iniquity-a sin done out of moral failing”.
Paul wrote to Christians, encouraging them in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (KJV).
2 Corinthians 10:5-7, Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (Verse 7) Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? (In other words, at the obvious facts) If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s (KJV).
The supreme sacrifice to all true Christians today is written in Romans 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (KJV).
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.”
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